'Courts jeopardise public safety'

“POLICE are hurting” in futile attempts to keep the public safe, according to the police union.

The Queensland Police Union has blasted the Coast's judicial system for putting dangerous criminals back on the street, saying it was a regular occurrence.

“Local police come to us and say they are so disappointed when all the work they do to catch these crooks and the evidence is rock solid, and they are still allowed to walk,” QPU North Coast representative Des Hansson said.

“Our people are hurting; they've got enough to do catching them in the first place without having to worry about stopping those who have been let out from doing it again.”

Mr Hansson said the Lee Hong case would have a specific mention in next month's QPU Journal.

He said yesterday's District Court decision to revoke Mr Lee Hong's bail showed the focus was back on public safety.

“It's great to see some in the judiciary have put the protection of the community above that of criminal rights,” Mr Hansson said.

“The community deserves that and they expect that of their judiciary.”